healthy living – Organic Authorityhttp://www.organicauthority.com
Organic Authority - organic food, organic living, green living, organic thoughts.Fri, 09 Dec 2016 17:16:09 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.311 Sustainable Living Choices to Makes Everyday Earth Dayhttp://www.organicauthority.com/11-sustainable-living-choices-to-makes-everyday-earth-day/
Mon, 20 Apr 2015 08:00:16 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=35211This year marks the 46th anniversary of the celebration of Earth Day, which is thought of as the birthday of the modern environmental movement. While in some ways it may seem like we haven’t come that far since that first celebration in 1970, but in many ways we have. The biggest change by far is […]

This year marks the 46th anniversary of the celebration of Earth Day, which is thought of as the birthday of the modern environmental movement. While in some ways it may seem like we haven’t come that far since that first celebration in 1970, but in many ways we have. The biggest change by far is that the idea of sustainable living isn’t just some highfalutin theory, but, in fact, sustainable living is a practical part of many people’s everyday lives. From recycling and reusable bags to gardening and eating local foods, sustainable living is an integrated part of our daily lives.

But if you are looking to step-up your game when it comes to sustainable living, here are some excellent ideas to help you celebrate Earth Day (and everyday for that matter).

Shop local for as much as you can. It will reduce carbon costs and help make your local economy more vibrant and sustainable.

One of the best ways to be more sustainable is to reduce your energy consumption and the best way to do that is to get a home energy audit to learn how you can make your home more energy efficient.

Get involved. There are many ways you can make a difference in your community, town and state by trying to improve local local laws to help reduce energy consumption, protect, wildlife, save at risk coastlines and more.

Commit to bicycling for trips under 2 miles and if you are really motivated start a bike project to promote biking in your community.

]]>New Book Explores a Sane Approach to Healthy Livinghttp://www.organicauthority.com/new-book-explores-a-sane-approach-to-healthy-living/
Fri, 30 Jan 2015 08:00:24 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=33721Stefanie Sacks, culinary nutritionist and author of “What the Fork Are You Eating?” makes one thing very clear: “Not being an idealist is okay.” In fact, during a Q&A hosted by the James Beard Foundation at the National Gourmet Institute earlier this month, she identifies herself as a “moderationist,” sharing what many audience members perceived as […]

Stefanie Sacks, culinary nutritionist and author of “What the Fork Are You Eating?” makes one thing very clear: “Not being an idealist is okay.” In fact, during a Q&A hosted by the James Beard Foundation at the National Gourmet Institute earlier this month, she identifies herself as a “moderationist,” sharing what many audience members perceived as the most reasonable approach to healthy living they had ever witnessed.

Sacks has followed her own circuitous journey to healthy living. A mother of two, she explains that she was consistently ill as a child, until she got a summer job cooking at a health food store on Montauk, Long Island and being placed on a candida diet by a doctor, gradually going from five prescription medications to only one. Sacks today boasts a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia, and seems less interested in discussing her own credentials than she does in a comprehensive dialogue about food.

“My goal in writing this book is to create an edible conversation,” she says. “One that is not based on fear.” Fear-mongering, Sacks explains, can lead to either end of extremism: fanatic change, or a tendency to completely ignore it. That dialogue is rooted in her collaborative approach with clients, who have ranged from the super-wealthy to more disadvantaged populations. The secret to genuine healthy living doesn’t discriminate, and carries what she calls the “common denominator.”

“Everyone wants to do better,” she says. “They just don’t know how.” That’s where her work comes in, and where change begins to take place.

While Sacks does incorporate into the book what she terms the “Top Rated Terminators,” which she deems to be “ten things[…]being done to food that are just not cool,” she also stresses that no single food is forbidden, to both herself or her sons. As she begins to discuss family, more of the audience’s questions turn to the subject of children. What about other kids’ birthday parties? What about the things those kids bring to school for lunch?

Emphasizing that there will always be edible environments in which one cannot exercise complete control, Sacks explains that she and her children both understand that “there’s the way we eat at home,” which isn’t necessarily adapted by everyone. For trips to the movies, she says, “all bets are off”; given the choice between bringing two types of candy from the health food store to the theatre, or buying one there, her boys typically go for the latter. If her own children want a multi-colored cake for their birthdays, she makes it herself using India Tree natural food coloring and, when they want hot dogs, she serves them Applegate ones.

The key, she says, is treating children like cognitive human beings, and giving them the power of information by explaining what certain ingredients are or can do, without trying to scare them. It is in that sentiment that she pinpoints her original thesis: We all need the fundamental knowledge about what we’re eating, but too many of us simply don’t have it, which is why, she says, so many parents think that something like Confetti Cake Pop-Tarts enriched with “essential vitamins and minerals” are a healthy breakfast.

That power of information goes both ways, Sacks says, pointing to a story of one client who completely forbid her young daughter from consuming more conventional items at her peers’ birthday parties. Withholding an awareness of moderation, or using knowledge dogmatically, she explains, is no better, and detracts from the realistic approach to healthy living that she maintains is far easier to accomplish than people tend to believe. “Small changes do make a difference,” she says, which is why part of her technique with clients is to help them make better choices in buying food, whether they shop at Whole Foods or Stop and Shop. She offers such simple tips as buying organic frozen berries, rather than their more expensive fresh counterparts. “Oh, my God,” her clients say. “I didn’t know it was so easy.”

“This book is meant for the mainstream,” she explains. “The silos have to come down.”

]]>10 Ways to Take Your Beauty Sleep to a Whole New Levelhttp://www.organicauthority.com/10-ways-to-take-your-beauty-sleep-to-a-whole-new-level/
Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:36 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=30978While you’re enjoying your beauty sleep, your skin is doing its thing, recovering and rehydrating from the day before – so why not give it a helping hand? While getting your eight hours is important, what you do before bed and how you sleep matters just as much to your skin’s health. Here are 10 […]

While you’re enjoying your beauty sleep, your skin is doing its thing, recovering and rehydrating from the day before – so why not give it a helping hand? While getting your eight hours is important, what you do before bed and how you sleep matters just as much to your skin’s health.

1. Wear your hair up

2. Wash your face

To avoid clogged pores and breakouts, wash your face every night using a gentle cleanser.

3. Exfoliate

To keep your skin looking fresh and youthful, spend a couple of minutes before bed sloughing off dead skin cells with your fave exfoliator. It’s best to do this before bed not just because it’s rejuvenation time, but you’d end up leaving your recently-exfoliated skin sensitive to the sun and other elements.

4. Moisturize

For glowing skin, moisturize with an anti-aging night cream before you hit the hay – and don’t forget your lips! Apply a moisturizing lip balm for a super soft pout to maximize your beauty sleep benefits.

5. Enjoy a snack before bed

In order for your skin to do its thing properly, it’s best if your sleep is as uninterrupted as possible – meaning, steer clear of your stomach giving you ‘tude in the middle of the night by munching on a sleep-friendly snack beforehand.

6. Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase

Silk pillowcases are great for women like me who love a good side-sleep: The fibers not only keep your hair from getting tangled, but they also soften wrinkles and fine lines by causing less friction between your skin and the pillowcase. (Plus, they feel fantastic!)

7. Switch up your pillowcases often

Shoot for changing your pillowcases once or twice a week to prevent bacteria buildup from striking your skin. On days you’re not changing them, simply flip them over.

8. Sleep on your back

When you sleep on your side, the repeated pressure on your face will eventually lead to set-in wrinkles – and if you have a favorite side, your face will end up looking lopsided in the wrinkle department (womp, womp). Try your best to sleep on your back as much as possible to prevent fine lines and wrinkles before they start.

9. Use extra pillows

If you’re like me and your beauty sleep leads to puffy eyes on the morning, stack a few pillows under your neck to sleep with your head slightly elevated. This will encourage fluid to drain away from your face and eyes.

10. Sleep with a humidifier

Hydration is key for amazing looking skin, and a great way to stay hydrated while you sleep is through setting up a humidifier. They’re especially helpful during the winter when your skin tends to dry out.

]]>30 Bucket List Musts for a Happy, Healthy Lifehttp://www.organicauthority.com/30-bucket-list-musts-for-a-happy-healthy-life/
Tue, 13 May 2014 07:00:20 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=29349A bucket list usually contains big adventures and lofty goals, like seeing the Amazon jungle, writing a best-selling novel and building a tree house in your back yard. But if you don’t have your health, it will be quite difficult to achieve any of these. Think of your life like a big, beautiful tree with […]

A bucket list usually contains big adventures and lofty goals, like seeing the Amazon jungle, writing a best-selling novel and building a tree house in your back yard.

But if you don’t have your health, it will be quite difficult to achieve any of these. Think of your life like a big, beautiful tree with sprawling branches, sprouting leaves and a few unique knots. Your health is the trunk of this tree. It affects everything else in your life, from your daily routines to special moments. Take care of your health, and you’re taking care of everything else.

Resolve to check off as many of these items on your healthy bucket list that you can. Read down the list, and see which ones you have already conquered. Then find a few new ones and decide what steps you can take to check them off as well.

1. Commit to an ongoing fitness routine that includes both strength training and cardiovascular exercise.

We all understand the importance of a morning routine, but no matter how much we enjoy the one we’ve created, there’s always room for improvement. Mine constantly evolves thanks to the strategies below.

Here are 7 ways to guarantee yourself a slump-free morning:

1. Download the HabitClock app

HabitClock is a free iPhone app that helps you accomplish your morning routine with ease. Setup the order of your morning routine, and as soon as your alarm goes off the app gets to work. It’s the perfect partner in crime for combating those especially bad habits you’re struggling to shake.

2. Get a head start

Prepare for your morning routine the night before. Choose what you’re going to wear – right down to the accessories. Lay out your workout gear too if exercise is part of your a.m. pick-me-up. Program your coffee maker to brew at a certain time. Set the book you want to read beside your coffee cup. Take care of the details so things go smoothly the next day.

3. Prep your kitchen

There’s nothing better than a tidy kitchen to start the day. Seriously, who likes waking up to last night’s dinner dishes? You’ll be that much more inclined to make yourself an amazing breakfast or your fave smoothie when you can actually see your counter. Try prepping your food the night before so you can spend less time cooking and more time doing what you love.

4. Choose a soothing alarm tone

When your alarm jolts you awake, it puts your body into an anxiety-stricken state (not cool). Find an alarm sound you can tolerate – particularly, a sound effect that makes you happy. I used to have an alarm clock that sounded like a squealing pig, a la “Gilmore Girls”. I mean, who could get mad at a pig?

5. Don’t do things you don’t want to do

The whole point to getting up earlier isn’t so you can jump right into responsibility mode – it’s so you can take time out to enjoy things you wouldn’t have time for otherwise: Reading an entire chapter of a book interruption-free, writing, completing an intense yoga session. Anything goes, as long as it’s the ultimate “me time” experience.

6. Remain flexible

You don’t want to have an army sergeant approach to your morning routine – you’re more likely to sabotage yourself that way (trust me). Remain open to how you’d like to structure your morning, and consistently tweak it until it’s just right. Forcing yourself to do things because you don’t want to feel like a quitter is counterproductive to your goal. When you drop something from your morning routine, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed – it means you’ve evolved.

7. Seek out inspiration

My Morning Routine is a fairly new blog where people share what their morning routine consists of as a way to inspire others to create and improve their own. If you’re looking to make changes or are in a slump with your a.m. regime, chances are you’ll find a dose of inspiration here.

]]>7 Fitness Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy and Stronghttp://www.organicauthority.com/7-fitness-tips-to-keep-your-heart-healthy-and-strong
Wed, 26 Feb 2014 08:00:17 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=27834February is heart month, and as far as I’m concerned there’s no such thing as too many fitness tips – with all of our modern-day conveniences peer-pressuring us to turn into couch potatoes, we have to stay strong and make sure our heart does too. Here are 7 fitness tips to give your heart a […]

February is heart month, and as far as I’m concerned there’s no such thing as too many fitness tips – with all of our modern-day conveniences peer-pressuring us to turn into couch potatoes, we have to stay strong and make sure our heart does too.

Here are 7 fitness tips to give your heart a little love:

1. Rank Your Heart

Since you’re already working heart (get it?) to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, check out HeartAge.me: It’s an online quiz that helps determine the “age” of your heart, while offering you specific insights on how to improve your routine.

2. Track How Effective Your Workouts Are

A heart rate monitor is helpful in tracking your workouts to make sure your heart’s fully benefiting: You want to make sure you’re working out in your target heart rate zone, which is about 60 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate. (To calculate yours, subtract your age from 220.) Use the Instant Heart Rate app to measure your heart rate after each workout.

3. Take 10

While on your busiest day you want to strive for a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity, try out 10-minute walks three times a day instead of going the full 30 in one shot: According to a recent study, 10-minute walks were shown to lower blood pressure more effectively than longer ones.

4. There’s More to Life Than Cardio

When you think “heart health,” the automatic assumption is to scout out fitness tips related to cardio – meanwhile, strength-training (like lifting weights, push-ups and lunges) can be just as beneficial. Strength-training works both your muscular and cardiovascular system, improving your endurance level, and increasing your good cholesterol levels.

5. Workout in Short, Intense Bursts

If you’re an office worker like me, one of the best fitness tips offered to me was to take 4-minute breaks where I run in place or do jumping jacks. High-intensity interval training works great in this instance too, where you alternate between bursts of high- and low-intensity moves. For example, rotating 30 seconds of running in place with 30 seconds of marching.

6. Don’t Just Sit There

This is one of those sneaky fitness tips where it doesn’t seem like it would be super-effective, but I’ll be the first to admit it’s made a huge difference for me: It turns out you can lower your blood pressure while sitting in your desk chair by doing isometric exercises. Isometric movements are where you contract your muscles without moving the body part. For example, flexing your thigh muscles. I couldn’t help but giggle when I first started doing these, but I feel much less sluggish when I’m done work for the day. Shoot for 20-minute sessions of contracting and relaxing.

7. Unplug

Use exercise as your time to break away from your RSS feeds, email and anything tech-related. Because we’re connected 24/7 our natural stress levels are much higher than they should be, which raises blood pressure and your heart rate. If it feels weird at first, turn everything off for 15 minutes at a time until you’re comfortable enough to go through your entire routine sans technology. Then spend that time raising your heart rate in a healthy way.

]]>3 Things To Do When Yoga and Meditation Aren’t Workinghttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/3-things-to-do-when-yoga-and-meditation-isnt-working.html
Fri, 18 Oct 2013 15:00:00 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/3-things-to-do-when-yoga-and-meditation-isnt-working/I’ve practiced yoga for six years. In 2007, I went to Asheville, NC, to get my yoga certification and since then I’ve continued my education in multiple cities. I’ve spent endless hours practicing yoga, meditation, chanting, and doing pranyama (breath work). I’ve converted to a vegetarian diet and swapped soda for kombucha. I love the […]

I’ve practiced yoga for six years. In 2007, I went to Asheville, NC, to get my yoga certification and since then I’ve continued my education in multiple cities. I’ve spent endless hours practicing yoga, meditation, chanting, and doing pranyama (breath work). I’ve converted to a vegetarian diet and swapped soda for kombucha.

I love the yoga lifestyle but recently I went through a tough period when yoga and meditation didn’t seem to be “doing it” for me anymore. When your yoga and mediation practice feels ineffective, it’s easy to just stop practicing, but it’s in these difficult times that you need it the most. Try these three steps to get your yoga and meditation practice back on track:

What To Do When Yoga and Meditation Aren’t Working

1. Get Back on a Healthy Schedule

When you’re in a rocky place it’s difficult to stay on a schedule but it’s that very schedule that gets you back on track. Wake up at the same time every day, preferably before sunrise so that you’re naturally tired at the end of the day and ready for bed. In addition, practice yoga or meditation first thing in the morning to avoid distractions. Think about taking a class: even if you have a home practice, you may need the guidance of an instructor during difficult times. I meditate on my own, but lately I’ve been attending more regimented early morning yoga classes so I can enjoy the community of people practicing yoga along with me.

2. Cut the Uppers and the Downers

When you’re in a bad place and you’re having trouble concentrating, too much caffeine makes the problem infinitely worse. If you love a warm morning beverage, switch to a lightly caffeinated tea. Especially try to reduce caffeine intake during your menstrual cycle because it has a larger impact during this time. Drinking too much alcohol, especially around bedtime, also disrupts your sleep and good sleep is so important to getting back on a schedule. Remember that alcohol takes a toll on your nervous system as well, which makes it difficult to focus during yoga and meditation.

3. Adjust the Yoga Expectations

Sometimes our inflated expectations about yoga (and everything else for that matter) make us unhappy with the results. Release expectations about where you should be and learn to be content with where you are right now. Yoga and meditation are about leaving the past behind, not worrying about the future, and allowing every part of your being to be absorbed in the present moment. Namaste.

]]>9 Tricks to Be Healthier (for Free)http://www.organicauthority.com/health/9-tricks-to-be-healthier-for-free.html
Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:00:00 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/9-tricks-to-be-healthier-for-free/Yoga classes, wild Alaskan salmon, organic strawberries, fresh wheatgrass and natural dog food – healthy living can seem to really add up. While your health is an important priority that you don’t want to skimp on, there’s still plenty that you can do to be healthier–for free. Even better than free, in the long run […]

Yoga classes, wild Alaskan salmon, organic strawberries, fresh wheatgrass and natural dog food – healthy living can seem to really add up. While your health is an important priority that you don’t want to skimp on, there’s still plenty that you can do to be healthier–for free.

Even better than free, in the long run choosing to be healthier will save you money on medical costs. Don’t spend a dime trying the following health strategies.

Take a walk everyday. Make it your morning, afternoon or evening ritual – or all three if you have a dog. Even a 15-minute walk outdoors can get your blood flowing and perk up your spirit.

Eat smaller portions. If giving up butter, sugar and other not-so-healthy ingredients completely isn’t in your near future, at least try to cut back on portions when you indulge. Eat all the fresh green salad you want, and take one small slice of dessert.

Stretch. Honor your body by warming it and cooling it down every day. Take a few minutes to stretch out your limbs and core muscles. Reach to the sky, roll your neck and try to touch your toes.

Plan your meals. Take the time to plan out your meals before you hit the grocery store. You’re much likely to buy healthy items, plus you’ve actually save money on impulse buys and random ingredients that end up going to waste.

Clean house. If you suffer from lung problems or any type of allergies, it pays to keep your home environment as clean as possible. Institute a regular schedule for dusting, vacuuming, laundry, etc. so that dust and dirty don’t pile up around your house. Bonus: housekeeping counts as exercise!

Rent a free fitness DVD. Your local library is a treasure trove of all kinds of DVDs, including a variety of fitness tapes. Invite over interested friends and check out random fitness videos just for fun.

Drink more (tap) water. Hydrate your body and keep toxins flushed out by making a vessel of water your constant sidekick. Add slices of citrus to keep things interesting.

Try out a class. Many gyms, dance studios, yoga centers and martial arts schools let prospective students try out a class free of charge. That’s means there’s no risk to try something you might not like – and you just might discover a new passion!

Start a health log. Do you get a cold the same week every year? Are your allergies worse in the spring or fall? How long has it been since your last vision test? You’ll know these answers for sure when you keep a health log. It doesn’t have to be fancy – a spiral notebook or word processing document will do. Write down any illnesses, doctor appointments, flare-ups and anything else pertaining to your overall health. Over time you’ll get a better idea of how your body system works and it will help you to be healthier.

]]>From Our Friends: June 7, 2013http://www.organicauthority.com/from-our-friends/from-our-friends-june-7-2013.html
Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:21:30 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s12-features/c39-from-our-friends/from-our-friends-june-7-2013/Welcome to this week’s installment of From Our Friends, our weekly roundup where we highlight some of our favorite posts from the past week and more from our friends and partners around the web. This week’s edition includes articles on the biggest GMO crops to avoid, summer camp essentials, how to boost your brain power, […]

Welcome to this week’s installment of From Our Friends, our weekly roundup where we highlight some of our favorite posts from the past week and more from our friends and partners around the web. This week’s edition includes articles on the biggest GMO crops to avoid, summer camp essentials, how to boost your brain power, holistic beauty practices, energy boosting yoga poses, and unusual uses for sugar.

1. Eating organic is the easiest way to avoid GMOs. Another great way to ensure you steer clear of genetically modified products is to avoid the top GMO crops. Check out Experience Life for a list of the major GM crops and stay GMO-free!

2. Summer is getting closer by the minute! For some, summer means summer camp. Camp can be tons of fun, but packing for camp can be a bit stressful. Visit Mightynest for a great list of summer camp essentials.

3. Can’t seem to remember the last few items on your mental to-do list? A recent study shows that about 14 percent of a group ages 18 to 39, reported having memory problems. The easiest way to better memory function is to eat a healthful diet, exercise more, and avoid unhealthy habits like smoking. Read more about the brain boosting power of a healthy lifestyle on Blisstree.

4. Holistic healing practices are becoming more common, but what about holistic beauty? Holistic beauty is the use of natural beauty methods, some of which you may have heard about from your grandmother. Beauty regimens don’t need to be complicated; head over to YogiTimes to learn more about holistic beauty.

5. Need an energy boost? Before you reach for that third cup of coffee or caffeinated beverage, try some yoga stretches. Visit The Organic Whey for 7 yoga poses that will help you de-stress, refresh and get energized.

6. Sugar isn’t exactly part of a healthy diet, but that doesn’t mean sugar is useless! Sugar can help remove stains from clothing, set your lipstick and even works as a great body scrub. Find out more useful ways to use sugar on EcoSalon.

There are deadly toxins in your baby’s applesauce, your pet food is filled with fatty by-products and your soda pop is nothing less than a sugary grave. Poison gas is leaking from your furniture as you read this very article, and your vehicle’s emissions are choking trees with fumes RIGHT NOW. Your vegetables are covered in toxic substances, your fish is from the wrong ocean and even the air you breathe CAN KILL YOU! The organic food you buy might be mislabeled as containing farm-raised genetically modified high-fructose corn syrup and if you want the “natural” toothpaste – well, that will be $5 extra for the pretty green leaves on the box.

Do you have natural living fatigue? Do you yearn for a simpler time when vegetables were vegetables and furniture could only kill you if it fell on you? Is your head going to spin right off the top of your neck if you read one more nutritional label, one more article about “superfoods” or one more world news report about E. coli in your kitchen? Do the whispered conversations in your yoga class make you want to slap someone with a yoga mat, and do you find yourself dreaming about eating a big, fat juicy cheeseburger and a second helping of fries dipped in cheese sauce AND ranch dressing?

You could have natural living fatigue. Brought on by continuous clean living, increasing grocery bills, overwhelming choices and an onslaught of nutritional information, natural living fatigue is common in first-world countries where more serious worries like poverty or starvation have been relegated to the recesses of the mind. If you suspect that you are suffering from this dis-ease, put down your cranberry quinoa spinach wrap and use the following methods to remember why you choose to live a natural life.

1. Stop comparing yourself to others. You’ve proudly just switched to natural home cleaners when your neighbor tells you that she is now making all of her cleaning products from scratch out of refuse from the compost heap. You upgrade to organic bed sheets only to find out that your brother has outfitted his house with organic carpet made by hand by artisans from a family farm in Maine. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and instead make the choices that suit your family the best.

2. Travel outside of your culture – far outside. Go someplace where the standards of living are far below that which you are used to, and remind yourself that natural living is a choice that you are lucky to be able to make. Most people in the world do not have access to the choices that we agonize over: low-fat frozen ice cream or full-fat frozen yogurt? Fresh organic spinach or frozen? Your natural living fatigue is a first-world problem, and you are lucky that your issues are so light.

3. Go out and party. Reconnect with your 21-year-old self and gather up a few friends who know how to have fun. Now head out on the town and really tie one on – drink as many cocktails as you can muster, or just dance until the club closes and yell at the moon in the wee hours. Wake up in the morning and revel in the horrific sensations of wild living to remind yourself why you go to bed early, take care of yourself and floss just like the dentist says. It’s because you are an adult, you care about your future and you have a working brain. Congratulations.

4. Don’t be so extreme. If you refuse to eat anything but USDA-certified organic food and insist that your children do the same, everyone is going to miss out on some great social experiences that can be crucial some of life’s best warm and fuzzy feelings. While ballpark franks for lunch three times a week is a bad idea, indulging in a chili-covered wiener at a live baseball game with your family is an experience that goes beyond labels. You already know when to say when – now learn when it is best to give in. Enjoy the cotton candy at the carnival, the nachos at the street fiesta and the funnel cake at the amusement park. Your life and diet must have room for treats!

5. Unplug. If your natural living burnout takes the form of information overload and nutritional admonitions are swimming around your head like goldfish crackers, you may need to unplug completely. Turn off the computer, turn off the television, turn off anything that you can turn off and go do something that you used to do before you were so connected. Take the whole day off from media and experience your world completely in first person. Eat just what you feel like eating, and you may be surprised to find it’s a healthy, natural dish after all!

]]>New Study: Low Salt Intake May Lead to Depressionhttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/new-study-low-salt-intake-may-lead-to-depression/
Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:44:15 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=9389A study published in the current issue of the journal, Physiology & Behavior, suggests that our predisposition towards high salt diets may actually be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress, depression and anxiety. The study was conducted by Professor Micah Leshem from the department of psychology at the University of Haifa, Israel with hopes of discovering […]

A study published in the current issue of the journal, Physiology & Behavior, suggests that our predisposition towards high salt diets may actually be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress, depression and anxiety.

The study was conducted by Professor Micah Leshem from the department of psychology at the University of Haifa, Israel with hopes of discovering why we’re drawn to such high levels of salt. Leshem reports in Physiology & Behavior that a dietary sodium intake of 0.04 percent (approximately one teaspoon– the new lower recommended daily allowance for a 150 lb adult) was shown to actually cause damage by reducing body weight, increase adrenal and heart weight, and increase risk of early death up to 55 percent (in the study rats).

The study’s findings showed that a high salt intake might actually serve as an adaptive response—a coping mechanism for dealing with adversity. The findings were consistent among test subjects where low dietary sodium induced anxiety.

It’s commonly understood that salt is required solely for mineral-fluid balance in mammals and that for humans especially, high salt intake may lead to serious health risks. But that may be a misconception, says Leshem, citing that, “We do not know why heightened salt appetite persists.” The ubiquitous draw to excess salt, despite the known health risks must be the result of “additional causes maintaining high salt intake,” according to Leshem.

Whether Leshem tested various types of sodium is not clear. Many schools of thought consider (the most common) chemically manufactured salt to pose health risks and naturally occurring mineral salts to be more nutritionally balancing to the human body. New research on low salt intake also links it to a higher risk of heart disease.

]]>Healthy Livin’ on the Jersey Shorehttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/healthy-living-on-the-jersey-shore.html
Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:25:07 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/healthy-living-on-the-jersey-shore/Livin’ on a Prayer? Yes. Livin’ the healthy life at the Jersey Shore? Not so much. No surprise, the Jersey Shore isn’t exactly known as a beacon of natural health. (A good slice of thin boardwalk pizza, now that’s a different story.) But peel back a layer of salt-water taffy and there are a number […]

Livin’ on a Prayer? Yes. Livin’ the healthy life at the Jersey Shore? Not so much. No surprise, the Jersey Shore isn’t exactly known as a beacon of natural health. (A good slice of thin boardwalk pizza, now that’s a different story.) But peel back a layer of salt-water taffy and there are a number of restaurants, farmers markets, fish markets and stores catering to those of us looking for healthier options.

For proof that Jersey isn’t all about fried pickles, check out these 10 spots that up the health-food anti.

With dishes like watermelon and heirloom tomato gazpacho, an organic wedge salad and 12 oz New York “Butcher’s Wife” cut steak, The Diving Horse delivers a farm-to-table experience (most of their food comes from nearby farms and local fisherman) to a laid-back area of the Shore. Even their décor is sustainable: The restaurant is filled with salvaged materials including pine floors dating back to the 1880s—and what’s more, the hostess station is an old miner’s cart.

Not only is this place the sole vegetarian cafe on Long Beach Island, serving tempeh bacon and tofu “egg” salad sandwiches, but like any good beach haunt, you can walk in right off the beach with just a bathing suit. No shirt required, of course.

Homemade granola. Tofu meatball wrap. Vegan cupcakes. Smoothies. What doesn’t the Twisted Tree Café have? This Asbury Park Mecca for all things healthy is just few blocks from the historic Stone Pony and only a few blocks from the beach. With a big fan base, the Twisted Tree was voted the best Healthy Eatery in Monmouth County two years in a row.

Committed to using only organic and vegetarian ingredients, this uber-popular pit stop is a local favorite. Stand outs on the menu include “Mississippi Ribs” (made of seitan), “Karma wings” (tofu strips) and the “Mellow Portabella” mushroom sandwich. For anyone looking for a greasy standby, you’ll be satisfied by the “Jersey Devil,” a pork roll, egg and cheese style sandwich.

With its cult following, Higher Grounds Café is more of a destination than just your average Starbucks. Specializing in organic, Fair Trade coffee, the café offers veggie sandwiches, outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi and a mellow vibe.

6. Cassidy’s Viking Village Fish Market, Barnegat Light

(Image by Hayley Krischer)

Cassidy’s locally caught fish and seafood not only is a staple for locals and bennies (yep, that’s the word for us tourists), but their straight-off-the-boat catches make for my family’s favorite—their incredible fish tacos.

Run by a certified nutritionist, the Nature’s Corner Natural Market houses the area’s only organic cafe and sandwich shop, as well as operates an organic juice and smoothie bar. Produce, vegan options and body care are also available.

When you think of Point Pleasant, you typically think of Jenkinson’s Boardwalk with it’s rides, aquariums and clubs. But in their sixth year, this little farmers market has made a name for itself in Point Pleasant, attracting all locals looking for healthier options. Booths include produce, gluten-free baked goods, pet treats, pies, honey and local seafood. (Open Sundays 10-2 in the train station parking lot.)

Exit 38 off the parkway (this Parkway exit thing is for real, folks!), and only 20 minutes from Atlantic City, this certified organic farm first began at the turn of the 20th century and now offers 150 varieties of mixed fruits and veggies. A huge plus: They deliver organic produce right to your door. (As of late May, 2011 CSA shares were are still open.)

10. West Cape May Farmer’s Market, Cape May

Check out the historic city of Cape May, the furthest point on the Jersey Shore, for their annual Tuesday farmers market. This is not your run-of-the-mill market: While produce is the main draw, other booths include fresh crab cakes, BBQ offerings and massages. (Every Tuesday at 3 pm until sunset, July and August).

]]>Laura’s Hot Listshttp://www.organicauthority.com/lauras-hot-lists.html
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:15:09 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/uncategorized/lauras-hot-lists/We are so thrilled to have the new look and feel of OrganicAuthority launched! If you navigate through the site you will notice a few new editions, and Laura’s Hot List is one of them! The Hot List is a roundup of OrganicAuthority’s best lists that put you on easy street to delicious, healthier living. […]

]]>We are so thrilled to have the new look and feel of OrganicAuthority launched! If you navigate through the site you will notice a few new editions, and Laura’s Hot List is one of them!

The Hot List is a roundup of OrganicAuthority’s best lists that put you on easy street to delicious, healthier living. Use these simple guides to help you make small changes in your daily life. They are a quick read with gorgeous photographs that inspire you to create change and live a delicious life!

Written by yours truly, can eating specific foods get that mojo going? I’m a skeptic about this theory, but curiosity got the best of me so I decided to investigate. Because hey, I’ll admit, there are times we could all use some inspiration to get in the mood and get it on.

$5.99 per pound for organic heirloom tomatoes, $6.99 per pound for organic bell peppers are they kidding? One of the biggest complaints about organic foods is, yes it can get expensive. And depending upon where you live, accessibility might be an issue.One of the best ways to save money on organic and natural foods is to grow your own and start a kitchen garden!

]]>Tap vs Bottled Water, Which is Safer?http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/tap-vs-bottled-water-which-is-safer/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/tap-vs-bottled-water-which-is-safer/#commentsWed, 15 Jul 2009 18:18:20 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=4791Water has gone to Washington. The Environmental Working Group presented an 18-month study to a congressional oversight hearing about the gaps in government regulation of the bottled water industry. Summing up the problem nicely is Wenonah Hauter, executive director of the non-profit consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch: “The Bottled water industry’s strategy has […]

The Environmental Working Group presented an 18-month study to a congressional oversight hearing about the gaps in government regulation of the bottled water industry.

Summing up the problem nicely is Wenonah Hauter, executive director of the non-profit consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch:

“The Bottled water industry’s strategy has been to market bottled water as the safe and clean alternative to tap water…This myth has been used to trick consumers into paying thousands times more for a product that is the same or even more polluted than the water available from our faucets. Tap water in the United States undergoes rigorous testing for contaminants—as often as 480 times a month, far more than the once–a–week test for bottled water.”

FDA vs. EPA

Under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, bottled water companies have complete latitude to choose what, if any, information to divulge to consumers about their water.

Compare that to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — the federal agency that oversees the nation’s municipal water utilities. All 52,000 nationwide community tap water suppliers need to produce an annual water quality report detailing the water source and pollutant testing results, as required under the Safe Drinking Water Act. (Although tap water does come with its own set of problems…)

Watered Down Labels

Furthermore, EWG researchers analyzed labels and websites from 188 bottled waters to learn which bottlers voluntarily disclosed the same information as required of community water suppliers. EWG found that many disclose little to no information at all on water source and purity.

]]>http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/tap-vs-bottled-water-which-is-safer/feed/5Green Washing Mamma!http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/green-washing-mamma/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/green-washing-mamma/#commentsMon, 29 Jun 2009 19:11:13 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=4496I’m about to become a first-time mom at age 40. Literally, at any moment. I don’t know how I will feel when I first see my baby (my guess is a post mortem cocktail of thrill and terror), but one thing I definitely do know: my time – and sleep – will be limited. That’s […]

]]>I’m about to become a first-time mom at age 40. Literally, at any moment.

I don’t know how I will feel when I first see my baby (my guess is a post mortem cocktail of thrill and terror), but one thing I definitely do know: my time – and sleep – will be limited. That’s what everyone has been telling me for the last 10 months (yes, it’s actually 10 months, not 9…but that’s another blog subject!).

Soon, my husband and I will have less time to make buying decisions – but more pressure than ever to make the greenest and healthiest choices for baby. The hours I formerly spent clicking around eco product sites, languorously reading ‘about us’ and ‘press’ sections to try to discern a given product’s ‘true green value’ will be but a hazy memory.

To prepare, I’ve saved these green washing sites – green washing is misleading marketing about the environmental benefits of a product – that I now share with other busy moms, dads, or just busy people in general…

Green America’s Responsible Shopper
I’m a Green America Business Network member, so this one is close to my heart (as a copywriter, I’m Green America-Approved and have the seal to prove it!). This site ranks companies in 27 industry categories from best to worst based on research focusing on such key issues as human rights, social justice, environmental sustainability and more. Check out the user-friendly “Act” section in which you can join campaigns to battle corporate abuse, or sign up for instant emails to get actions delivered to your inbox.

Skin Deep Database from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
This searchable database matches the ingredients in more than 25,000 shampoos, makeup, deodorants, sunscreens and other personal care products with 50 toxicity and regulatory databases. It provides the most safety information anywhere about the products you put on your body – and on the body of baby too!
The Greenwashing Index
Enviromedia Social Marketing’s website asks consumers to send examples of both good and bad green marketing campaigns, which visitors then rank using a five point index that includes 1 for Authentic, 3 for Suspect and 5 for Bogus. Also includes “ripped from the headlines” exposes on worst offenders, i.e. the recent charge from the FTC that Kmart Corp., Tender Corp., and Dyna-E International are making false and unsubstantiated claims that their paper products were “biodegradable.”

Terrachoice
Check out the free report entitled the Six Sins of Green Washing and get tips on the top suspect terminology – i.e. the use of ‘chlorofluorocarbon-free’ even though these chemicals have been banned, by law, for years.

Laura Klein’s Green Club
Shameless plug here (I am the chief copywriter for Laura Klein’s green lifestyle membership site), but there’s no doubt that in addition to lots of good, green info and action-oriented tips, membership in Laura Klein’s Green Club gives you one-on-one consultation from Laura herself on any question relating to going green. It’s like having a personal eco consultant at your finger tips, so it makes for a truly great value.

Place champagne in heavy medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and add cheese to combine. Stir in cornstarch mixture. Return cheese mixture to medium heat and stir until cheeses are melted and smooth and fondue thickens and boils about 12 minutes. Stir mushroom mixture into fondue. Season with white pepper to taste. Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot. Serve with crusty French bread.

]]>Healthy Food Gives Organic Food A Bad Raphttp://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food-recipes/cooking-tips/healthy-food-gives-organic-food-a-bad-rap.html
Thu, 26 Oct 2006 00:55:52 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s7-organic-food-recipes/c20-cooking-tips/healthy-food-gives-organic-food-a-bad-rap/In the past and even today “healthy” restaurants, that is those that are predominantly vegetarian and vegan and the few that do dish up meat, serve bland dull food that consistently gives incredible tasting organic food a bad rap. Who told “healthy” restaurants they had to throw out the flavor in order to be “healthy?” […]

]]>In the past and even today “healthy” restaurants, that is those that are predominantly vegetarian and vegan and the few that do dish up meat, serve bland dull food that consistently gives incredible tasting organic food a bad rap. Who told “healthy” restaurants they had to throw out the flavor in order to be “healthy?” What happened to the fine herbs, spices and even salt? When a dish is seasoned correctly you shouldn’t be able to taste the salt. And who said to eat organic you had to be a vegetarian, a vegan, a raw food connoisseur or even a hippie? If you’re a vegetarian you can still enjoy fabulous tasting fresh organic milk and cheese, which is the best tasting milk and cheese I have ever savored. Organic food is wonderfully tasty and the bonus, it’s healthier for you to. The bottom line organic food doesn’t need to taste like dirt in order to be considered healthy.

People commonly overlook pasture raised organic beef, chicken, lamb and pork amongst other organic meats, that you can now find in markets like Whole Foods and other specialty food stores. The secret to choosing the best and 100% organic meats lies in the questions you ask. Take for instance beef. The best quality organic beef you can find is beef that’s been pastured on grass from birth to market. Some organic beef is raised on grass for three quarters of its life but is then finished on organic grains to fatten the cows. This kind of beef can be called “organic” because it is still fed organic food in the form of grains. Cow’s stomachs however were not designed to naturally ingest these grains, they were they were truly designed to eat wholesome green organic pasture. Recently a good fat known as CLA (conjugated lineoic acid) has been found only in organically raised beef and lamb.

The other secret behind organic food is not only does it just taste superior, but it is truly healthier for you. If you sincerely want to start doing something healthy for you and your family, start buying organic fruits, vegetables and meats which all contain a higher amount of cancer fighting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eat anything how you want it and when you want it. Add the organic milk, add the organic butter, add the salt but do it in moderation and go organic! Look at the Europeans; they’ve been doing it for years. They are a much slimmer and thus could be considered a healthier society.

]]>Child and Adolescent Depression Can Lead to Obesityhttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/health/child-and-adolescent-depression-can-lead-to-obesity/
Sat, 18 Mar 2006 16:54:33 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=103Raising daughters? Then you’re all too familiar with their fixation with belly-baring pop stars and body image. You can certainly provide reassurance and help them eat nutritious organic food. But if your daughter becomes depressed, she may be at risk of developing a higher body mass index (BMI)—the measurement doctors use to determine obesity. According […]

Raising daughters? Then you’re all too familiar with their fixation with belly-baring pop stars and body image. You can certainly provide reassurance and help them eat nutritious organic food. But if your daughter becomes depressed, she may be at risk of developing a higher body mass index (BMI)—the measurement doctors use to determine obesity.

According to a study in this month’s Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, depression and anxiety disorders during childhood may be associated with a higher BMI into adulthood for women (but not men). The increasing prevalence of obesity among children and adults has become a public health crisis. Understanding the social and psychological conditions associated with obesity could help predict which children and adolescents are likely to become obese adults—something that will help physicians target treatment and prevention efforts. Previous evidence suggests psychological disorders may be one factor associated with weight gain, but studies have been limited.

Sarah E. Anderson, MS, and her colleagues at Tufts University in Boston recently evaluated the association between anxiety disorders/depression and weight gain from childhood into adulthood. The 820 individuals (403 women, 417 men—ages 9 to 18 at the beginning of the study, 28 to 40 at their most recent evaluation) were assessed four times between 1983 and 2003. At each assessment, researchers interviewed participants to determine whether they met clinical criteria for anxiety disorders or depression. The authors calculated BMI, adjusting it for age and gender based on national reference data.

During the study, 310 participants (119 men, 191 women) had anxiety disorders, and 148 (50 men, 98 women) were depressed. Women with anxiety disorders and depression had a significantly higher BMI. The earlier the onset of depression, the higher the woman’s adult weight. “An average-height woman diagnosed with depression at age 14 would weigh about 10 to 16 pounds more than a non-depressed woman by the time both reached age 30 years,” the authors write.

Depression during childhood was associated with an initially lower BMI among boys, but the weight difference in depressed and non-depressed men disappeared over time. Anxiety disorders did not appear to be linked to men’s BMIs at any point throughout the study.

Treating anxiety and depression in girls and women may be one strategy in the battle against obesity, the authors conclude. If your child or teenager is depressed, be sure to seek counseling.

]]>A Note to African-American Women…http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/health/a-note-to-african-american-women/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/health/a-note-to-african-american-women/#commentsThu, 09 Feb 2006 16:43:29 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=76Living an organic lifestyle that incorporates a healthful diet and stress management is particularly important if you’re an African-American woman. Two out of three urban black women at high risk for heart disease do not consider themselves at risk, according to recent research from Tulane University in New Orleans. “Black women are more likely than […]

Two out of three urban black women at high risk for heart disease do not consider themselves at risk, according to recent research from Tulane University in New Orleans.

“Black women are more likely than other groups to die from heart disease,” says Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo, an associate professor of clinical medicine and chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics. “We do not fully understand why they are at greater risk. The results of this study show the women themselves do not think they are at risk, even when they are. We also determined that women who are poor or who believe they are under a lot of stress are the least able to accurately assess their personal risk of heart disease.”

Dr. DeSalvo and her research team interviewed 128 African-American women seeking care over a four-month period at an urban New Orleans internal medicine clinic. The women were considered high risk if they had three or more heart disease risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use and a family history of heart disease. Both obesity and high blood pressure were found in 61% of the women.

Addressing the disproportionate impact of heart disease on black women will require improved health education, as well as social or policy approaches to reducing stress and increasing support, according to Dr. DeSalvo. Questions about perceived stress should be included in heart disease risk screenings, she says. A better understanding of the stressors for urban black women, as well as methods to reduce stress, could help women address their heart disease risks.

Results of the study were published in the December edition of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Earlier this week, I covered the new food labeling requirements on trans fats. Also effective Jan. 1 is a new law that requires labels to clearly state if food products contain any proteins derived from the eight major allergenic foods:

Milk

Eggs

Fish

Crustacean shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster)

Tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)

Peanuts

Wheat

Soybeans

The Food and Drug Administration enacted the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) because approximately 2% of adults and 5% of infants and young children suffer from food allergies—30,000 of which require emergency room treatment. About 150 Americans die each year from allergic reactions to food.

FALCPA requires food manufacturers to label products with the identified ingredients in one of two ways:

Include the name of the food source in parentheses following its usual name. For example:

Place the word “Contains,” followed by the name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived, immediately after or adjacent to the list of ingredients. The type size cannot be smaller than that used in the ingredients list. For example: Contains Wheat, Milk and Soy.

FALCPA does not require food manufacturers or retailers to remove or relabel products that were labeled before Jan. 1. Consumers with allergies must recognize there will be a transition period and continue to read package ingredient statements.

The new labeling law will be especially helpful to children who need to learn how to spot the presence of substances they must avoid. For example, if a product contains the milk-derived protein casein, the product’s label will have to use the term “milk” in addition to the term “casein” so those with milk allergies can clearly understand its presence.